Fastener attaching device



March 1, 1966 w. s. BAcHMAN FASTENER ATTAGHING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed April 30, 1964 P0 we R S u PPLY l Mew. M

March 1, 1966 W. s. BACHMAN FASTENER ATTACHING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed April 30, 1964 f., ,y Zr@ E e u wm Ia am y aufm wf/J T om.

March 1, 1966 w. s. BACHMAN FASTENER ATTACHING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5Filed April so, 1964 United States Patent O 3,237,496 FASTENER ATTACHINGDEVICE Walter S. Bachman, South Acton, Mass., assignor to United-CarrIncorporated, Boston, Mass., a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 3G,1961i, Ser. No. 363,935 S Claims. (Cl. 83-154) The present inventionrelates generally to an improved device for attaching plastic snapfasteners to heat sealable plastic materials and other materials ofcommerce and, more particularly, to an improved snap fastener at-tachingdevice of the positive action type that may be removably mounted to aselected portion of any conventional heat sealing apparatus used in themanufacture of articles made from heat sealable materials. By the termpositive action type, it is meant to define a device that indexes on thedownward motion toward the work and immediately prior to the fastenerapplying operation as opposed to and distinguished from a device thatindexes after the plastic snap fastener has already been attached to4the article and lthe device is being moved away from the work. The termindexing is used in the art to define an operative action of a fastenerattaching evice by which a fastener stud or socket, fed into the devicein a continuous strip form, is moved into position for attachment to thework.

Snap fastener attaching devices find important uses in the garmentindustry such as in the mak-ing of raincoats, baby clothes, etc. In theuse of such garments, it is most desirable that the same may be easilyand quickly fastened and unfastened about the users body. This is mostconveniently accomplished by having matching pairs of fastener studs andsockets respectively attached to opposing edges or in the plackets orslits of the garments at the places desired to be fastened. Anotherimportant use for snap fastener attaching devices is found in thebillfold and purse industry in the manufacture of such items from heatsealable plastic sheeting materials.

Both in the garment industry 4and in the -rbillfold industry,manufacturers heretofore were confronted with the necessity ofsubmitting their products to a two-step operation: rst to use a Ahea-tsealing apparatus to heat seal the edges and openings and second toattach the snap fasteners at the desired places by using anothermachine. The improved snap fastener attaching device of the inventionhas been designed to obviate this necessity for a two-step operation andto accomplish both the heat sealing operation and the attachment of thesnap fasteners at about the same time and by the same operator. Theresult is increased efficiency of operation and reduced costs ofmanufacture, markedly enhancing the competitive position of themanufacturer. The snap fastener attaching device of the invention can,of course, be operated by itself, if -so desired. For such independentoperative application of the device, however, it becomes necessary toprovide the device with its own -supply of power. In its preferredapplication where one or more of such devices are operatively mountedonto selected portions of a conventional heat sealing apparatus, theoperation of the heat sealing apparatus itself provides the powerrequired for the operation of the device of the invention.

It is, therefore, a principal object of vt'he present invention toprovide an improved snap fastener attaching device.

More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to providean improved device for attaching plastic snap fasteners to hea-tsealable plastic sheeting materials in a continuous manner andsimultaneously with the heat sealing operation performed on the work.

It is another object of the present invention to provide ice an improvedsnap fastener attaching device of Ithe positive action type that indexesas t-he device is moved toward the work and just prior to the fastenerapplying operation.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a snapfastener attaching device -that may rbe removably mounted to a selectedportion of a conventional heat sealing apparatus, utilizing the power ofthe apparatus for ythe operation of the device.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide .animproved snap fastener attaching device that may be used for attachingboth snap fastener studs and sockets by being easily adaptable forconversion from atta-ching studs to attaching sockets.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide animproved snap fastener .attaching device for attaching fastener studs orsockets to heat sealable plastic sheeting materials in a relat-ively4simple and inexpensive manner.

Other and further objects of the invention will in pa-rt be obvious andwill in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises -the improved snap fastenerattaching device possessing the construction, combination of elements,and arrangement of par-ts which are exemplied in the lfollowing detaileddisclosure, and the scope of which will be indicated in the appendedclaims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference should be had to lthe following detailed description, taken inconnect-ion with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. l is a front elevational view of a snap fastener attaching deviceconstructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention andshown mounted to a selected portion (shown in section) of a conventionalheat sealing apparatus together with a schematic repre- -sentation of ahigh-frequency power supply used for operating the heat sealingapparatus and another power supply to operate the mechanical aspects ofthe device of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view :similar to that of FIG. l but showing the snapfastener attaching device of the invention in contact with the work andin the process of attaching a plastic snap fastener thereto;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the snap fastener attaching device takenalong the line 3 3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the snap fastener attaching device alone;

FIG. 5 is a front sectional view of the snap fastener attaching devicetaken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 represents a portion of t'he snap fastener attaching device asshown in FIG. 5 but on an enlarged scale depicting a snap fastenerretaining and applying assembly used for applying fastener studs;

FIG. 6a is a View similar to that shown in FIG. 6 but showing a snapfastener retaining and applying assembly used for applying fastenersockets;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view, in perspective, of the operative parts of asnap `fastener attaching device constructed in accordance with andembodying the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a view in elevation of the pawl;

FIG. 9 is a View in elevation of the plunger;

FIG. l0 is a front elevation of the rotary member, and

FIG. ll is a side View, as seen fro-m the left in FIG. l0, of the rotarymember.

In general, the head 10 of the invention comprises: an out-er member 20;an inner member 39 mounted for relative motion within the outer member20; a rotary ember 60 rotatably mounted in the inner member 30 andhaving a plurality of perimetrically positioned fastener applyingportions 90 between the extended horizontal plane of the ratchet wheelportion 62 and the extended horizontal plane of the arrestor portion 66;a plunger 80 slida'bly mounted within the inner member 30 forlco-operation with the arrestor portion 66; a lifter 40 pivotallymounted in the outer member 20 to co-operate with the plunger S; and apawl 50 pivotally mounted in the outer member 2t) and provided with atooth 52 to the co-operate with the ratchet wheel portion 62.

For purposes of clarity of presentation, the head of the invention isshown mounted to a portion of a conventional heat sealing apparatus inFIGS. 1 through 3 only, with the sealing lbar of the heat sealingapparatus being shown in FIGS. l and 3 only.

Referring to the drawings in which like reference characters refer tolike parts throughout and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 3, thereference character 10 denotes a head constructed in accordance with andembodying the present invention. The head 10 is shown mounted to aportion of the `frame 2 of a conventional heat sealing apparatus bymeans of a suitable adapter plate 3 which is also a part of the head 10.The adapter plate 3 is secured to the head 10 by bolts 5 5 and to theframe 2 of the heat sealing apparatus by bolts 7-7. In FIGS. l and 3,there is also shown a portion of a heat sealing bar 4, also secured tothe frame 2 by bolt S shown in FIG. 3. The `function of the heat sealingbar 4 is to heat the edges, the openings and the plackets of articles`formed of heat sealable plastic sheeting materials. A portion of suchan article is denoted by the reference character 9 and is shown restingon a suitable press platen 6 of a conventional heat sealing apparatus.In the construction shown, the press platen 6 is stationary while theframe 2 of the apparatus is designed for reciprocal motion in adirection normal to the plane dened by the flat surface of the pressplaten `6. The power for the heat generating aspect of the heat sealingapparatus is provided by a high frequency power supply 75 shownconnected by lead 73 to the frame 2 and by lead 77 to the press platen 6of the heat sealing apparatus and the power for the other necessaryoperation is provided by the mechanical power supply 75a shownschematically corrected by a lead 73a to frame 2 and 'by lead 77a to thepress platen 6. Furthermore, it should be. understood that more than onesuch head 10 may be mounted at spaced intervals to the 1frame 2.

In FIG. 1, the work or article of manufacture 9 formed of an appropriatematerial and supported by the flat surface of the stationary pressplaten 6 is shown with a plastic snap fastener stud 11 already attachedthereto. The head 10, on the other hand, is shown in its upward positionand farthest removed from the press platen 6. Also, the head 10 as shownin FIG. 1 does not carry any snap fastener studs in the snap fastenerretaining and applying portions 90-99. A front plate 12 is provided forthe safety of the operator and it is shown secured by a series of bolts13-13 to the outer member or housing of the snap fastener attachingdevice 10 and the plate 12 also provides a guide means to prevent theother member 20 from shifting out of alignment with the inner member 30.The outer member of housing 20 is in turn provided with a pair ofspaced, insulating, and work contacting feet yor strippers 14-14, formedof an electrically insulating material. Each of the feet 14-14 is alsoprovided with complementary strippers 16-16 respectively. Thecomplementary strippers 16-16 are mounted under slight compressionrelative to the outer member 20 and within suitable cavities formed inthe feet 14-14 and are designed to be received therein ush with the feet14-14 when the latter are in contact with the work 9, as shown in FIGS.2 and 3. The function of the complementary strippers 16-16 is tofacilitate the separation of the pair of feet 14-14 from the work 9after a snap fastener element has been attached thereto by the head 10.

Within the outer member or housing 20 is mounted an inner member orblock 30. It should be noted that the inner member or block 30 ismounted within the outer member or housing 20 for reciprocal motion intranslation and in a direction normal to the plane of the workcontacting surfaces of the feet 14-14. It should also be noted that apair of compression springs 15 and 17, defining a first compressionmeans urge and normally hold the inner member or block 30 inco-operation with plate 3 within the outer member or housing 29 in anextended position and away from the pair of feet 14-14 as may beobserved in FIG. l.

The inner member or block 30 has a rotatably mounted therein at its enda rotary member 60 in proximity to the pair of feet 11i-14. The rotarymember 60 is provi-ded with a plurality lof fastener retaining andapplying portions -90 perimetrically positioned about the rotary member6i) and between a ratchet wheel portion 62 and an arrestor or stabilizerportion 66 formed integral with the rotary member 60. The ratchet wheelportion 62 is in turn provided with a number of teeth I64, while thearrestor or stabilizer portion 66 is formed with a number 1of extensionsor projections 68 defining a like number of depressions 69 therebetween.It is pointed out that the number of fastener applying portions 90-90Idetermines the number of teeth 64 of the ratchet wheel portion 62 aswell as the number of the depressions 69 of the arrest-or or stabilizerportion 66. It has been found that a rotary member 60 of octagonalconfiguration is desirable from the point of view of ease and eiciencyof operation of the snap fastener attaching devic-e 10 of the invention.The snap fastener applying portions 90-90 are separated from each otherby a number of grooves 92 carrying plastic inserts 94. The variousfunctions of the several above-enumerated parts of the rotary member 60will be described in more detail below.

In FIGS. 2 and 3 is illustrated the process in which a plastic snapfastener stud 11 is attached to the work or article of manufacture 9formed of heat scalable plastic sheeting material. As may be observed,the pair of sufciently thick insulating and work contacting feet 14-14of the snap fastener .attaching device 10 are in contact with the Work 9and the complementary strippers 16-16 have been seated into theirrespective openings in the feet 14-14 and are flush with the Workcontacting surface thereof. A continuo-us strip 65 of snap fastenerstuds 11-1'1 that may be conveniently wound on a suitable feeding reel(not shown) positioned at a convenient `distance from the head 10 isshown being fed into the device 10 from the rear and through a slot 18formed in the sealing bar 4. A fastener positioner 26 having aninclined, beveled, slanted surface 28 and mounted at the rear upper endof the outer member 20 is .provided to guide the snap fastener studs1-1-11 into the -snaip fastener retaining and applying portions 90 ofthe rotary member 60. Adjacent the fastener positioner 26 is mounted acutter member 22 whose function lis to separate the snap fastener studs11-11 one from the other yat the narrow severable portions 19. Thecutter member 22, in accomplishing `its separation function, penetratesslightly into the grooves 92 and is supported therein by the plasticinserts 94. The plastic inserts are actually cutting blocks allowing thecutter member 22 to cut its own groove in each insert. To prevent thed-islodgement of the snap fastener stud 11 in front of the cutter member22 from within its snap fastener retaining and applying portion 90, asuitable ypressing member 70 has been provided for co-operation with.the snap fastener applying pontions 90. The pressing member 70 ispivotally mounted about a pin 72 within the inner member 30 andcooperates with a compression sp-ring 74 that d urges the pressingmember 7@ into Contact wit-h one of the fasteners 11-11 holding itwithin the applying portions 90, as may be observed in FIG. 3. As may befurther seen yin FIG. 3, simultaneously with the process by which aplastic snap fastener stud l1 is attached to the work 9 by the head 1@of the invention, the sealing bar 4 of the heat sealing apparatusaccomplishes the heat sealing of the edges of the same work 9.

With particular reference to FlGS. 4, 5 and 9, a plunger 80 is shownmounted for reciprocal motion within a bore 36 of the inner member 30.The plunger 80 is preferably formed as a hollow cylinder having atapered nar-row end 82 designed for operative engagement within thedepressions 69 of the arrestor or stabilizer portion 66 of the rotarymember 6i). A compression spring 84, defining a second compression meansand carried within the cylindrical plunger 80, urges and normally holdsthe plunger Si) in locking engagement with the arrestor portion 66 ofthe rotary member 60. Such locking engagement inhibits the rotation ofthe rotary member 6i) and stabilizes the fastener applying portions 96with respect to the housing 20. A lifter member is laterally andpivotally mounted about a pivot in the outer member or housing 20. Thelifter member 40 is provided with a lifting surface 44 to cooperate withsurface 86 of the plunger Si). A torsion spring 43 wound about the pivot45 extends within a slot 41 of the lifter 4l) and urges and normallyholds the lifting surface 44 in a p`osition for engagement with thesurface 86 of the plunger 80. When the inner member 30 is moved withinthe outer member 29 in a direction toward the pair of spaced feet 14-14,the lifting surface 44 of the lifter 40 engages the surface 86 of theplunger 80, lifting its tapered narrow end 32 from locking engagementwith the stabilizer portion 66 of the rotary member 60. The rotarymember 60 may then be rotated about its shaft 61, as will be explainedbelow. On further motion of the inner member 39 within the outer member20 toward the pair of spaced yfeet 14AM the tapered surface 42 of thelifter 40 comes into contact with the tapered surface 32 provided by theinner member 30. The interaction of these two surfaces 32 and 42gi'adually forces the remo-val of the lifting surface 44 from below thesurface S6 of the plunger Si), allowing the tapered narrow end 82thereof once again to assume its looking engagement with the stabilizerportion 66 of the rotary member 60 in co-operation with the secondcompression means 84, when the rotary member by other means has beensuiciently rotated.

The rotation of the rotary member 60 about its shaft 61 may best bedescribed with reference to FlGS. 7, 8, and 10. An lactuating member,:such as a pawl 5ft, is pivotally mounted in the outer member 2li labouta pin 54 designed to be received within a bore 23 of the outer member 20and a hole 55 of the pawl 50. The actuating member is provided wit-h lanactuating surface, such as a detent 52, to co-operate with the teeth 64of the ratchet wheel portion 62 of the rotary member 60. A spring 53secured to the outer member 2G and formed to tit within a depression 51of the pawl 50 which is designed to urge and normally hold the detent`52 in a position for operative engagement with one of the teeth 64 ofthe ratchet wheel portion 62. When the inner member 30 is moved withinthe outer member 20 in a direction toward the pair of feet 14-14 'andthe lifter 40 has already released the plunger 80 from lockingengagement with the stabilizer portion 66 of the rotary member 66, thedetent 52 of the pawl 50 engages one of the teeth 64 of the ratchetwheel portion 62 and imparts thereby a predetermined degree of rotarymotion to the rotary member 6G. When the rotary member 66 has thus beenItur-ned, the next succeeding tooth 64 of the ratchet wheel portion 62operates to push out the detent 52 of the pawl 50 by coming into contactwith the beveled surface 56 thereof. Subsequent to sufficient rotationof the rotary member 60, the caming surface 42 of the lifter 40 engagesthe tapered surface 32 of the inner member 30, forcing the removal ofthe lifting surface 44 from below the surface 86 of the plunger 80. Theplunger S0 is thus allowed to mowe forward within the bore 36 of theinner member 30 and its tapered narrow end 82 once again assumes itslocking engagement with the stabilizer portion 66 of the rotary member60.

The angular displacement of lthe rotary member 60 is such as to positionyanother snap fastener applying portion 9i) under the `pressing member70 as may `be best o-bserved -in FIG. 3. Once the predetermined degreeof angular displacement of the rotary member 60 has been completed asdescribed above, the pressing member '70 is urged by the compressionspring 74, defining the third compression means, into contact with theplastic snap fastener 11 carried by the `fastener applying portion 90.

The third compression means 74 is accommodated within a bore 33 o-f theinner member 30, as may be best Iseen in FfGS. 3 and 7. The compressionsprings 15 `and 17, defining the `first compression means, are in turnaccommodated in complementary pairs of channels 25 and 35, 27 and 37respectively. Each of these channels represents a half circle in crosssection, with the channels 25 'and 27 being formed in the outer member20 while the channels 35 `and 37 `are being formed in the inner member3ft, as may be best observed in FIG. 7. Adjacent the channel 25 isprovided a slot 21 to accommodate the lifter 4l?. At the rear upper endof the the outer member 20, 'the cutter blade 22 is secured thereto asby a bolt 24. The fastener positioner 26 is mounted adjacent the cutter22 and is secured to the outer member 20 by a pair of bolts 29-29.

To facilitate the reciprocal motion in translation of the inner member30 with-in the outer member 20, the inner member 30 is formed with aguide corner 38 |whose tapered surface 32 is designed for eo-operationwith the tapered surf-ace 42 of the lifter 46, as already explainedabove. A transverse bore 3i. has been pro-vided in the inner member 30to accommodate the shaft 61 of the rotary member 66. In parallel spacedrelation to the lbore 31 is a bore 34 designed to receive the vpin '72of the pressing member 7 tl. The second compression means 84 is designedto be received within the cylindrical plunger 80. The exploded view ofthe several above enumerated operative parts of the head il) as shown inHG. 7 demonstrates how those parts may be conveniently assembled.

FIG. 10 depicts the rotary member 60 in perspective and on an enlargedscale, showing the snap fastener applying portions perimetricallypositioned about the rotary member 6l) and between the ratchet wheelportion 62 and the arrestor or stabilizer portion 66 formed integralwith the rotary member 60. One may also observe the number of spacedgrooves 92 separating the fastener applying portions 90 from each otherand carrying the plastic inserts 94 therein. FIG. l1 represents a sideview, as seen from the left in FIG. 10, of the rotary member '60,showing the arrestor or stabilizer portion 66 With its projections l68defining depressions 69 therebetween.

FIG. 6 is a cross-section of a snap fastener applying position 90, asviewed on the section lines 6--6 of FIG. l1, depicting a snap fastenerretaining and applying assembly on a much enlarged scale. It is pointedout that the fastener applying assembly shown in FIG. 6 is used forapplying fastener studs 11 only. Such a snap fastener applying assemblycomprises a hollow quasicylindrical member 96 0f U-shapedcross-sectional configuration, four stud holder portions 101)--100shaped like petals of a flower, and a rivet shaped portion 108 anchoringthe assembly within the rotary member 60. The hollow quasicylindricalmember 96 is the one that conducts the current which heats the flange ofa snap fastener stud 11 and electronically heat seals the same Yto theWork 9. For this reason, cylindrical member 96 is preferably made of agood electrical conducting material such as beryllium-copper (BeCu)alloy which also has high thermal conductivity to efciently cool theheated plastic. The stud holder portions G-100 are each provided with anannular groove 104 to accommodate an annular spring 196 designed to holdthe portions 169-199 together under slight tension and the portions100-100 are shaped to allow pivoting for efficient collet movement.These are the portions that hold the snap fastener stud 11 in applyingposition within the assembly. The rivet portion 108 in turn anchors thestud holder portions 10D- 100 within the rotary member 60. A suitableclamp or C ring 101 is provided about the lower end of the rivet portion108 and adjacent the member 96 to hold the assembly together.

In FIG. 6a there is illustrated a cross-section of a snap fastenerretaining and applying portion 90a used for attaching plastic snapfastener sockets (not shown) only similar to the View shown in FIG. 6.The Snap fastener applying assembly 90a comprises the same hollowquasicylindrical member 96 of U-shaped cross-sectional configuration asdoes the assembly 90 of FIG. 6 which is designed to accept and retainthe socket in place. In lieu of the stud holder portions 10U- 109 therehas been substituted a cylindrical stop 97 which is, in turn, held inplace within the member 96 by a suitable ring 99, such as a Waldes ring.As should be evident, the adaptation of the snap fastener attachingdevice 10 of the invention from attaching plastic snap fastener studs 11to attaching plastic snap fastener sockets (not shown) is a relativelysimple matter. It involves only the removal of the stud holder portions10U- 100 and the portion 108 from Within each of the fastener applyingassemblies 90 and the substitution therefore of the stop 97 whichprevents the plastic socket from distorting during heat sealing and theupper portion of the member 96 is formed to retain the socket.

The member 96 is formed with a flat surface 91 onto which any desiredcongurations, such as grooves 93 may be applied. These grooves 93, asmay be clearly observed in FIG. l0, are designed to enhance theappearance of the snap fastener studs or sockets once they have beenattached to an article of commerce by the snap fastener attaching device1t of the invention. Many other configurations may be substituted forthe grooves 93. One of the reasons that a change may be necessary in amember 96 is that the member 96 may be damaged by electrical arcing. f

The operative application of the head 10 of the invention is as follows.One or more of such heads 10 is mounted by means of the adapter plate 3to selected portions of the frame 2 of a conventional heat sealingapparatus, substantially as shown in FIGS. 1 through 3. The head 10 isthen loaded with a continuous strip 65 of plastic snap fastener studs11-11 (or plastic snap fastener sockets, not shown) from the rear andthrough the slot 18 of the sealing bar 4. When at least ve of suchfastener studs 11-11 are in their places in the fastener applyingportions 90 of the rotary member 60, the head 10 is ready for theattaching operation. The operator or the machine then places theparticular article of commerce 9 in position on the stationary pressplaten 6 and actuates the press. Thereupon, the frame 2 of the heatsealing apparatus begins to descend downwardly, carrying with it boththe sealing bar 4 and the head 10 of the invention. When the pair offeet 14-14 have come to rest on the article of commerce 9, the furtherdownward motion of the outer member or housing 20 is thereby arrested.The frame 2 of the heat sealing apparatus, however, continues itsfurther downward descent, moving thereby the inner member 30 within theouter member 20 in a direction normal to and toward the pair of spacedfeet 14-14. Such trauslatory motion of the inner member 30 within andrelative to the outer member 20 causes the lifter 40 to release theplunger 80 from locking engagement with the stabilizer portion 66 of therotary member 60 in a manner already described above. On furtherrelative motion of the inner member 30, the detent 52 of the pawl 50imparts the predetermined degree of angular displacement to the rotarymember 60 by acting on one of the teeth 64 of the ratchet wheel portion62. At that point, the interaction of the tapered surfaces 42 and 32causes the removal of the lifter 40 from the path of the plunger 80,permitting the plunger 39 to move forward and assume once again itslocking engagement with the arrestor portion 66 of the rotary member 69.The head 10 of the invention has thus performed one indexingf i.e., ithas moved a new fastener stud 11 into position for attachment to thework 9. This new fastener stud 11 is, of course, in the fastenerapplying and retaining portion that is now facing the work 9.

Immediately following the indexing and on a further and final relativemotion of the inner member 30 within the outer member 20, the attachmentof the plastic snap fastener stud 11 onto t-he work 9 is effected. Thisis accomplished by passing current through the frame 2, through the bed10, and through the face of the rotary member 60, through the fastener11 and the work 9 'and thus through the bed 6 to the source. The heatcauses the stud 11 to flow out from the applying portion 90. The heatand pressure then applied by the flat surface 91 onto the softenedflange of the stud 11 causes the same to be sealed to the work 9.Simultaneously with the attachment of the stud 11 to the work 9, thesealing bar 4 of the heat sealing apparatus effects the 'heat sealing ofthe yedge of the Work 9, as may be best observed in FIG. 3. Followingthe attachment of the stud 11 and the heat sealing of the edge by thesealing bar 4, the frame 2 of the heat sealing apparatus commences tomove upward and away from the press platen 6, by the mechanical powersupply 75a. At this time while the outer member of housing 29 is heldstationary against the work 9 through the feet 14E-*by the rstcompression means 15-17 while the inner member or block 30 moves awayfrom the work 9 stripping the fastener from the holding portion 10G-190. Subsequent to the indexing the stud 11 which is still on the stripand is second from the end and has been positioned below the taperedsurface 28 and is pressed into a retaining and applying portion 90 bythe surface 28 just prior to the cutting operation. The cutter 22subsequently is caused to penetrate the underlying groove 92 and comesto rest on the plastic insert 94 carried within the groove 92. By sopenetrating the groove 92, the cutter effectively severs the plasticsnap fastener stud 11 that has now been moved from below the taperedsurface 28 to below the pressing member 70 from the adjacent stud 11.Following the :cutting operation the feet 14-14 are moved, complementarywith the press to return to the startmg position. The operator thenremoves the Work 9 now completed and positions another article ofcommerce .on therpress platen 6. Thereupon a new cycle of operation,identical to that above described, is ready t0 commence to att-achanother plastic snap fastener stud 11 and to heat seal the edge of thework 9 now on the press platen 6.

It must be pointed out, that, if so desired, the snan fastener attachingdevice of the invention may be iriverted and secured instead to thestationary press platen 6. In such aplications, the work is positionedon top of the pair of feet 141-14 and the movable frame 2 of the lliategalmg apparatus is caused to move against the feet The presentinvention thus provides an improved snap fastener attaching device ofthe positive action type that may be removably mounted to a conventionalheat sealmg apparatus used in the manufacture of articles of commerce.

Since certain changes may be made in the above described apparatuswithout departing from the scope of the invention Iherein involved, itis intended that all matter contained in the above description or shownin the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted in an illustrative andnot in a limiting sense.

What is claimed:

1. A snap fastener attaching device comprising two members including afirst member, a second member mounted within said rst member, la rotarymember rotatably mounted in lsaid second member land having a pluralityof perimetrically positioned article applying portions linked to anindexing portion and an arrestor portion, an alignment means moveablymounted with said second member and formed to co-operate with saidarrestor portion, and an actuating member mounted in said first memberand provided with -a means to co-operate with said indexing portion.

2. A snap fastener attaching device comprising an outer member, an innermember mounted for relative motion within said outer member, a rotarymember rtatably mounted in said -inner member and having a plurality ofperimetrically positioned fastener applying portions between a ratchetwheel portion and an arrestor portion, a plunger slidably mounted withinsaid inner member and for `co-operation with said arrestor portion, alifter pivotally mounted in said outer member to cooperate with saidplunger, and an 'actuating member pivotally mounted in said outer memberand being provided with a ratchet to co-operate with said ratchet wheelportion.

3. A snap fastener attaching device comprising an outer member, an innermember mounted for relative motion in translation within said outermember, la rotary member rotatably mounted in said inner member andhaving a plurality of perimetrically positioned fastener applyingportions between a ratchet wheel portion and an arrestor portion, aplunger mounted for relative motion in translation within said inne1member and for engagement with said arrestor portion, a lifter pivotallym-ounted in said outer member to co-operate with said plunger, and anactuating member pivotally mounted in said vouter member and beingprovided with a ratchet to co-operate with said ratchet wheel portion,whereby when said inner member moves relative to said outer member saidlifter lifts said plunger from engagement with said arrestor portionallowing thereby on further relative motion said actuating member toimpart rotary motion to said rotary member.

4. A `snap fastener attaching device comprising an outer member, aninner member mounted for relative motion in translation within saidouter member, a rotary member rotatably mounted in said inner member andhaving a plurality of perimetrically positioned fastener applyingportions between a ratchet wheel portion and an arrestor portionintegral with said rotary member, a plunger mounted for relative motionin translation within .said inner member and for operative engagementwith said arrestor portion of said rotary member, a lifter pivotallymounted in said outer member to co-operate with said plunger, and anactuating member pivotally mounted in said outer member and beingprovided with a ratchet designed to engage said ratchet wheel portion ofsaid rotary member, whereby when said inner member moves relative tosaid outer member said lifter lifts said plunger from operativeengagement with said arrestor portion of `said rotary member allowingthereby on further relative motion of said inner member within saidouter member said actuating member to impart rotary motion to saidrotary member.

5. A snap fastener attaching device for use in combination with a heatsealing apparatus and comprising an outer member having a pair ofinsulating surfaces, an inner member mounted within -said outer memberfor relative motion in translation normal to said pair of insulatingsurfaces, compression means urging said inner member away from said pairof insulating surfaces, a

rotary member rotatably mounted in said inner member and being providedwith a plurality of fastener applying portions perimetrically positionedabout said rotary member between a ratchet wheel portion and astabilizer portion thereof, a plunger slidably mounted within said innermember and for coeoperation with said stabilizer portion, a springmember urging said plunger into locking engagement with said stabilizerportion of said rotary member, a lifter pivotally mounted in said outermember to co-operate with said plunger, an actuating member pivotallymounted in said outer member and being provided with a ratchet tocooperate with said ratchet wheel portion of said rotary member, wherebywhen `said inner member moves relative to said outer member toward saidpair of insulating surfaces said lifter releases said plunger fromlocking engagement with said stabilizer portion permitting thereby onfurther relative motion said actuating member to impart rotary motionthrough its said ratchet and said ratchet Wheel portion to said rotarymember, and means for removably mounting `said device to a portion of aheat sealing apparatus.

6. A snap fastener attaching device for use in combination with a heatsealing apparatus and comprising an outer member having at one endthereof a pair of spaced insulating surfaces, an inner member mountedwithin said outer member through its free end lthereof for relativemotion in translation normal to said pair of spaced insulating surfaces,compression means urging said inner member away from said pair of spacedinsulating surfaces, a rotary member rotatably mounted in said innermember in proximity wi-th said pair of spaced insulating surfaces andbeing provided with a plurality of fastener applying portionsperimetrically positioned about -said rotary member between a ratchetwheel portion and a stabilizer portion thereof, a plunger slidablymounted within said inner member and for co-operation with saidstabilizer portion, a spring member urging said plunger into lockingengagement with said stabilizer portion of said rotary member, a lifterpivotally mounted in said outer member to co-operate with said plunger,an actuating member pivotally mounted in said ou-ter member and beingprovided with a ratchet to cooperate with said ratchet wheel portion ofsaid rotary member, whereby when said inner member is moved within andrelative to said outer member in a direction normal to and toward saidpair of spaced insulating surfaces said lifter removes said plunger fromlocking engagement with said stabilizer portion permitting thereby onfurther relative motion said actuating member to impart a predetermineddegree of rotary motion to said rotary member, and means for removablymounting said device at its end away from and in a plane parallel withsaid pair of spaced insulating surfaces to a selected portion of a heatsealing apparatus.

7. A snap fastener attaching device for use in combination with a heatsealing apparatus and comprising a housing having a pair of spacedinsulating layers secured to one end thereof, a block member mountedwithin said housing for reciprocal mot-ion in translation normal to theplane of said pair of spaced insulating layers, a rst compression meansurging and normally holding said block member in an extended positionaway from said pair of -spaced insulating layers, a rotary membermounted for rotation in said block member and being provided with anumber of fastener applying portions perimetrically positioned aboutsaid rotary member and between a ratchet wheel portion and a stabilizerportion integral with said rotary member, a plunger mounted within `saidblock member for reciprocal motion in .translation and for operativeengagement with said stabilizer portion of said rotary member, a secondcompression means urging and normally holding said plunger in lockingengagement with said stabilizer portion of said rotary member, a lifterpivotally mounted in said housing and for co-operation with saidplunger, a pawl pivotally mounted in said housing and being providedWith a ratchet for co-operation with said ratchet Wheel portion of saidrotary member, whereby when said block member is moved Within saidhousing in a direction normal to and toward said pair of spacedinsulating layers said lifter releases said plunger from lockingengagement with said stabilizer portion permitting thereby on furtherrelative motion said pawl to impart a predetermined degree of rotarymotion to said rotary member, and means for removably mounting saiddevice at its end away from and in a plane paralled with said pair ofspaced insulating layers to a selected portion of a heat sealingapparatus.

8. The snap fastener attaching device as defined in claim 7 beingfurther characterized in that said housing is also being provided with afastener position having a tapered surface and a cutter member mountedadjacent said tapered surface, and -said block member is also beingprovided with a pressing member pivotally mounted Within said blockmember and a compression spring urging said pressing member into contactwith one of said number of fastener applying portions perimetricallypositioned about said rotary member.

No references cited.

WILLIAM W. DYER, JR., Primary Examiner.

2. A SNAP FASTENER ATTACHING DEVICE COMPRISING AN OUTER MEMBER, AN INNERMEMBER MOUNTED FOR RELATIVE MOTION WITHIN SAID OUTER MEMBER, A ROTARYMEMBER ROTATABLY MOUNTED IN SAID INNER MEMBER AND HAVING A PLURALITY OFPERIMETRICALLY POSITIONED FASTENER APPLYING PORTIONS BETWEEN A RATCHETWHEEL PORTION AND AN ARRESTOR PORTION, A PLUNGER SLIDABLY MOUNTED WITHINSAID INNER MEMBER AND FOR CO-OPERATION WITH SAID ARRESTOR PORTION, ALIFTER PIVOTALLY MOUNTED IN SAID OUTER MEMBER TO COOPERATE WITH PLUNGER,AND AN ACTUATING MEMBER PIVOTALLY MOUNTED IN SAID OUTER MEMBER AND BEINGPROVIDED WITH A RATCHET TO CO-OPERATE WITH SAID RATCHET WHEEL PORTION.